Put Nigeria above ethnic, religious divides, Peace  Committee, EU urge citizens

Put Nigeria above ethnic, religious divides, Peace  Committee, EU urge citizens

The National Peace Committee (NPC) and European Union (EU) have called on Nigerians to prioritise a shared national identity above ethnic, religious, and regional affiliations.

They warned that the country risks worsening instability, if these longstanding divisions continue to dominate public life.

The call was made during the NPC’s discourse titled “Nigeria’s National Identity; Revisiting the Indigene–Settler Question”, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Bishop Matthew Kukah, Convener of the NPC, said that in spite of decades of nation-building efforts, Nigeria remained distant from the aspirations of its founding fathers.

He observed that the country is still plagued by “miniature internal wars,” conflicts, and tensions that undermined national cohesion and obstruct meaningful progress.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s Constitution already outlined a framework for national integration.

He stated that Section 14 of Chapter 2 required that government composition and conduct reflect the nation’s diversity to prevent the dominance of any one group.

According to him, Section 15 prohibits discrimination and guarantees citizens freedom of movement and residence across the country.

Kukah stressed that Nigeria’s divisions have created cracks, adding that Nigeria would not grow alone because of its tribes, faiths, social status or faith.

“We need to elevate Nigerian identity to a higher pillar of common citizenship around which all other identities can
stand in contestation against the dominant power of the state, not against one another as it is the case today.

“Only then can we in unity as citizens struggle
against the oppression of a state that is increasingly suspended from the hopes
of its citizens.

“Unless we focus on our common citizenship, we shall continue to
mourn, carry our corpses and bury our dead, singing our dirges of hopelessness
in vernaculars or different hymn books.”

Reflecting on the NPC’s origins,
Kukah explained that it was created in 2014 to provide hope, foster unity, promote reconciliation, and support a democratic process capable of delivering national cohesion.

“That we are still mired in a debate of identity over who should live where, how and when, is a measure of how far away we are from the goal posts of a modern society.

“In our pursuit for a good
society, if we do not hang together, we shall all hang separately. It is our ability
to forge a common identity of citizenship that has created the crack that politics
continues to exploit.

“If we do not mend quickly, we shall break ultimately. We must embrace this task and the place to start is here and the time is now.”

Mr Zissimos Vergos, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, commended the NPC for its contributions to nation-building.

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Vergos said the EU strongly believes in dialogue and critical reflection as tools for easing societal tensions, debunking harmful narratives, and developing solutions.

According to him, nation-building depends on ensuring that all Nigerians regardless of their origin, ethnicity, or length of residence enjoy equal rights to live, participate, and prosper.

“The EU stands with Nigeria in building a robust citizenship framework capable of creating an inclusive society grounded in federal character principles and residency rights.”

He said that discriminatory practices rooted in historical grievances undermine state legitimacy and impede development, but reforms such as guaranteed rights after sustained residency could transform divisions into strengths.

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, a member of NPC, noted that while the NPC has helped improve elections, it is still “a work in progress.”

Looking to the 2027 elections, Onaiyekan urged political actors to uphold democratic principles, saying that democracy cannot survive without credible elections.

He appealed to Nigerians to reject bad elections and demand better governance.

“We have to liberate ourselves. I am talking of the 250 million Nigerians who are not politicians.

“I don’t know how we can organise ourselves, but let everybody know we are not ready anymore to accept bad elections.”